QUESTIONNAIRE
“NON - DISCRIMINATION AND EQUALITY IN FAMILY AND CULTURAL LIFE”
In accordance with its mandate, the UN Working Group on the issue of Discrimination
against Women in Law and Practice (hereinafter “the Working Group”) developed this
questionnaire to gather information onhow laws and practices discriminate against
women within the family and cultural life. Additionally, this questionnaire has the
objective of highlighting good practices and lessons learned in advancing equality between
women and men within the family and in cultural life.
Regarding family life, the questionnaire focuses on issues of equality in marriage and
rights and responsibilities within the family. In relation to cultural life, the questionnaire
addresses issues linked with the right to have access, participate in and contribute to all
aspects of cultural life, including arts, sports and cultural activities.
The Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women
(CEDAW) clearly establishes the State obligation to “take all appropriate measures to
eliminate discrimination against women in all matters relating to marriage and family
relations”1. It also establishes the obligation to modify the socio-cultural patterns and
gender stereotypes to eradicate all practices based on the inferiority or superiority of
either of the sexes as well as to ensure that family education recognizes the common
responsibility in the upbringing and development of children.2 Moreover, the Convention
reaffirms the State obligation to eliminate discrimination and guarantee equality in the
cultural sphere.3
In addition, the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights recognizes
the right of all people to enjoy their cultural rights in conditions of equality as well as the
right to enjoy the benefits of scientific progress.4 Furthermore, the Human Rights
Committee in its General Comment 28 on the Equality of Rights Between Men and Women
also reaffirms that the right to equality before the law include equal status within the
family and regardless of marital status.5
The UN Working Group wishes to thank all stakeholders for responding to this
questionnaire by 31 July 2014.
Article 16, UN Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, adopted by the
UN General Assembly on 18 December 1979 (AG Resolution 34/180) and entered into force on 3 September
1981.
2
Ibid art. 5.
3
Article 1, and 13(c), UN Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women,
adopted by the UN General Assembly on 18 December 1979 (AG Resolution 34/180) and entered into force on
3 September 1981.
4
International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights adopted by UN General Assembly resolution
2200A (XXI) of 16 December 1966 and entry into force on 3 January 1976.
5
UN Human Rights Committee, General Comment No. 28 on article 3 “Equality of Rights between Men and
Women”, adopted on 29 March 2000 (HRI/GEN/1/Rev.9 (Vol. I)).
1
1
Questionnaire
General
1. What status/hierarchy does your Constitution gives to international human rights treaties
versus domestic law? Please explain. The Convention on the Elimination of all forms of
Discrimination against Women
2. Has your State ratified international human rights treaties with reservations to provisions
dealing with equality in family life?
Yes
(
√ )
No
()
Ifyes, are there plans to withdraw these reservations?
Yes
(
)
No
(√)
Please explain.
3. Are the principles of non-discrimination on the basis of sex/gender and equality between
men and women established in the Constitution of your State?
Yes
( √
)
No
(
)
If yes, please provide references, describe how they are defined (name the specific
articles) and whether they cover family and cultural life.
4. Are there any specific anti-discrimination or gender equality laws in your State?
Yes
(√
)
No
(
)
If yes, please provide references and briefly describe the content of this law(s), in
particular whether it covers family and cultural life. Employment law encourages anti
discrimination of women
5. Have there been any recent legal reforms in your State to guarantee non-discrimination and
equality between men and women in family and cultural life?
Yes
( √
)
No
(
)
If yes, please explain and provide examples. Several legal reforms has led to the
development of the revised Gender Policy
6. Are there any customary, religious law or common law principles/provisions that
discriminate against women in family and cultural life?
Yes
(
√ )
No
2
(
)
If yes, please explain and provide examples. The customary law allows a girl to get
married at any age so long they pay the Bridal price to the girls family but some
tradition leaders have come out to be against the practice and encourage girls to go to
school instead.
7. Are there any good practices that you can share regarding the elimination of sex
discrimination in family and cultural life in your State?
If yes, please explain and provide examples. Yes, in family farming, everyone is
involved in the cultivation of crops including harvest time.
8. What actions have been taken by your State to eradicate negative gender stereotypes,
including in the media?
9. Please provide examples. The campaign I CARE ABOUT HER gives men a different
perspective about women and protection of their rights.Rights are tribunals upholding the
principles of equality and non-discrimination in matters relating to family and cultural life?
Yes
( √
)
No
(
)
If yes, please provide any relevant case-law/jurisprudence.
10. Are there any other mechanisms to monitor draft legislation,specific provisionsin draft
legislation or reverse decisions discriminating against women in family or cultural life?
Yes
( √ )
No
(
)
If yes, please provide any relevant examples. Judicial reforms tribunal sittings at district
levels
Family Life- Equality within marriage
11. Is there a legal designation of head of household?
Yes
( √ )
No
(
)
If yes, is the head of household the male member of the family? Yes, What rights or
obligations are attributed to the head of household? The man is given opportunity or priority
in acquisition of land than the woman.
12. Do women have the same rights as men in your State in relation to:
3
( NO )
The minimum age for marriage – if the age of marriage is different for
men and women, please provide information For women its 21 year and 25 years for
men
(
YES)
The right to enter into marriage
( YES )
The freedom to choose a spouse and to express consent
13. With permission or authorization from parents/guardians/courts, at what minimum age can
men and women marry in your State? What enforcement measures are provided by law in
this regard? The civil law prohibits marriage below 21 years which is the minimum age.
14. Is there a reference to dowry in the legislation of your State, for example, in marriage
contracts or in traditional practice?
Yes
( √ )
No
(
)
If yes, please explain. Yes a man requested to pay dowry by tradition.
15. Are forced marriages prohibited in your formaland customary laws?
Yes
(
)
No
(
√)
If yes, please provide any relevant references.
16. Are forced marriages or arranged marriages practiced in your State?
Yes
(
√ )
No
(
)
If yes, please explain. In customary law the parents to woman force her to get married
due to poverty and would like to get some money/animals from the man.
17. Is polygamy illegal in your State?
Yes
(
)
No
(
√ )
If no, is it legal for both men and women? No it is illegal for women
18. Is the registration of marriage compulsory in thefollowing cases?
(
(
Yes ) civil marriage
No ) religious marriage
19. Are same sex-marriages allowed in your State?
Yes
(
)
No
If yes, please provide references.
4
(
√ )
20. Are same-sex relations criminalized in your State?
Yes
(
√ )
No
(
)
If yes, please provide references. Yes, it is illegal in the state constitution.
21. Is equality guaranteedbetween husband and wife in law and practice with respect to:
(
(
(
(
(
YES ) The right to choose a family name
YES) The right to choose a profession and occupation
NO ) The right to choose the place of residence
YES ) The right to have and retain one’s nationality
YES ) The freedom of movement (including the right to travel abroad)
Please provide references.
22. Do both spouses have the same rights in law and practice with respect to:
( NO ) ownership of property and land
( NO ) management and administration ofproperty and land
( NO ) enjoyment and disposition ofproperty and land
Please provide references.
23. Are women who get married subjected to any form of male guardianship?
Yes
(√
)
No
(
)
If yes, what are the specific conditions of this guardianship and what kind of restrictions
does it imposeon women? Women should be at home before dark and required to take care
of children
24. Do parents have same rights and responsibilities regarding to:
(
(
(
(
(
(
yes )
Deciding the number and spacing of children
yes )
Guardianship, wardship and trusteeship
yes )
Adoption of children
yes )
Care of children
yes )
Education of children
no ) Alimony
Please provide references. In rare cases do women take care of men after divorce or
separation
25. Are de facto unions recognized in law in your state?
Yes
(
)
No
(
√)
If yes, please explain in which law(s) and how this is defined.
5
26. Do men and women have the same legal rights with respect to dissolution of marriage?
Yes
( √ )
No
(
)
If yes, please explain in which law(s) and how this is defined. Divorce can be granted to
any spouse who applies for it.
27. Do men and women have the same rights in law and practice when a marriage or union ends
in terms of:
( NO ) Equal share of the marital property and land
( NO ) Custody of children
( YES )Remarriage
Please provide any references. Couples are allowed to marry other people only after
legally divorcing
28. Is it contemplated in the legislation of your State that, in the event of a divorce, women
should remain in the family or common household?
Yes
(
)
No
(√
)
If yes, please explain in which law(s) and how this is defined.
29. Are legal provisions guaranteeing non-financial contributions, including care of children,
the sick and elderly in the family,taken into account in the division of marital property upon
divorce?
Yes
(
)
No
(√
)
If yes, please provide references.
30. Are rights of widow(er)s the same for women and men in terms of:
( No ) Custody of children
( No ) Property and land distribution
( Yes ) Remarriage
( Yes ) Freedom to choose residence
Please provide references.
31. Do women have access to legal aid in relation to family matters?
Yes
( √ )
No
(
)
If yes, please explain. The Legal Aid Clinic provide information on family matters
6
Equality within the family
32. What is the legal definition/concept of “family” in your State? A group of people related by
blood or marriage
33. In law (including customary law) are men and women equal in the family in your State?
Yes
(
)
No
( √
)
If yes, please provide any references.
34. Do men and women have the same social status within the family in your State?
Yes
(
)
No
( √ )
If yes, please provide any references.
35. Does your State have data on the number of hours spent by women and by men on functions
in the home or in care for family members, including children and the elderly?
If yes, please explain. Yes such information is being captured by organization such as
the women in law.
36. Do men and women in the family have the same rights, in law and practice, with regards to
inheritance (including equal rank in the succession)?
Yes
(
)
No
(√
)
If yes, please explain. In addition, is there evidence of waiver of inheritance rights by
women?
37. Does family education in your State include a proper understanding of maternity as a social
function and the recognition of the common responsibility of men and women in the
upbringing and development of the children?
Yes
( √
)
No
(
)
If yes, please provide any references.
38. If equality is guaranteed in law and practice, does this apply in all different types of
families?
Yes
(
)
No
If yes, please provide any references.
7
( √ )
Violence within the family and marriage
39. Are there any of the following traditional practices in your State?
( No
) Female Genital Mutilation
( Yes ) Honour Killings
( Yes ) Son Preference
( Yes ) Dowry Deaths
( Yes ) Polygamy
(
Yes ) Prohibition of work or travel without the permission of a guardian
(
) Other
If yes, is there legislation prohibiting such practices in your State?
Please provide any information on other actions taken to eradicate these practices.
40. Is/are there any anti-domestic violence legislation/regulations in your State?
Yes
( Yes
)
No (
)
If yes, please provide any references.
41. Does your State have a legal definition of discrimination which covers gender-based
violence or violence against women, which includes domestic violence?
Yes
(
Yes )
No (
)
42. Does your State have a national policy to eliminate gender-based violence or violence
against women, including domestic violence?
Yes
(
√
)
No (
)
43. Is marital rape considered a crime in the legislation of your State?
Yes
(
√ )
No
(
)
44. Is adultery considered a crime in the legislation of your State?
Yes
(√
)
No
(
If yes, is it equally punished for men and women? no
8
)
Please provide any references and further explanation. Who ever caught in adultery
especially women are usually chased from marriages
45.
Are there any public campaigns in your State to raise awareness that violence against
women and girls is a human rights violation?
Yes
(√
)
No
(
)
If yes, do they attempt to change the attitudes of men? Yes they are involving men as
change agents in gender based violence
46.
What measures have been taken in your State to raise awareness among law
enforcement officials regarding violence against women and girls, including domestic violence?
Please explain and provide examples. Revision of the Gender Policy
47. Are there special law enforcement units to respond to complaints of violence against women
and girls, including domestic violence?
Yes
( √ )
No
(
)
If yes, do these include female law enforcement officers? yes
48. Please provide information on the incidents/complaints of domestic violence, sexual assault
including rape, and child abuse against women and girls in your State. A incident where a
popular musician General Kanene raped a minor
49. Are there shelters or safe houses for women and girls who are victims of gender-based
violence, including domestic violence in your State?
Yes
( √
)
No
(
)
If yes, are these available to women and girls living in rural and remote areas?
established safe shelters is not in the rural areas.
Participation in cultural life
50. Are men and women equally entitled in law and practice to interpret cultural traditions,
values and practices in your State?
Yes
(
√ )
No
(
)
If yes, please describe and provide examples. Women have formed an association for
traditional councilors
9
51. Are there restrictive dress codes for women which do not apply to men?
If yes, please describe and provide examples. Yes, Chitenges, dresses and chitambala
52.
Are women in the country allowed to be a member and fully participate in cultural and
scientific institutions in your State?
Yes
( √ )
No
(
)
If yes, please describe and provide examples. The state deliberately has allocated more
spaces for women in science institution
53. Are women entitled in law and practice, independently of their marital status, to decide
freely whether or not to participate in certain cultural events, traditions and practices in your
State?
Yes
(
)
No
(
√ )
If yes, please describe and provide examples.
54. Are there any specific actions to recognize and value the contributions of women to culture
in your State?
Yes
( √ )
No
(
)
If yes, please describe and provide examples.
55.
Do you have data regarding the participation of women in arts, science, sports and in the
proportion of public funding allocated to women in these activities?
If yes, please provide information.
56. Has your State developed any temporary special measures to enhance the participation of
women in arts, science, sports and any other cultural activity?
Yes
( √
)
No
(
)
If yes, please provide specific examples of these temporary special measures. The
university of Zambia has increased the number of female students enrolled in the school of
natural sciences to encourage more women in science.
57. Are women allowed and encouraged by your State to participate in all sports?
Yes
( √ )
No
If yes, please describe and provide examples.
10
(
)
58. Is any special dress code provided in the legal regulations for all women exercising sports in
your State?
Yes (
No ( √ )
)
If yes, please describe and provide examples.
59. Are there any differences in your State in conditions for women’s access,to museums, parks,
theaters, sports stadiums and other facilities where culture, sports and science are disseminated
in comparison with men?
Yes
(
)
No
(√
)
If yes, please explain and provide examples.
60. Is your State promoting the participation of women in the arts?
Yes
(√
)
No
(
)
If yes, please explain and provide examples. The chairperson for the national arts
Council is a woman
61.Have there been any cases in your State in last decade of women artists prosecuted for the
performance of art, allegedly violating public authority or morals?
Yes
(
)
No
If yes, please describe.
11
( √
)